Water Resources

** Access the Draft Environmental Report for the Prineville Wetlands Project HERE.

Central Oregonians rely on local rivers, streams and aquifers to supply homes, businesses, and farms with water.  Creek and river corridors are some of the most ecologically important zones in the High Desert environment.  Recreational activities such as rafting, fishing, and camping at mountain lakes draw thousands of visitors to the region every year.

The cities and counties of Central Oregon have an important role to play in managing the water resources of the upper Deschutes and Crooked river basins.  Groundwater withdrawal, surface water diversion, wastewater discharge, stormwater management, land use planning, road construction and maintenance, and erosion control activities can all affect local water quality, water availability, and other public values.

COIC supports the cities and counties in maintaining clean, reliable water supplies; in preserving and enhancing water quality and aquatic and riparian habitats; and in complying with federal and state regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

Regional Stormwater Management Committee

In 2005, the cities and counties of Central Oregon joined forces to protect local water resources from polluted urban runoff, to manage urban flooding, and to meet new state and federal regulatory requirements by developing comprehensive stormwater management guidance for the region.  This partnership provides opportunities to work more efficiently and effectively and to provide consistency and clout for the region.  The major project of the partnership has been the development and refinement of a regional stormwater management manual.  The Central Oregon Stormwater Manual provides needed stormwater guidance for each participating jurisdiction, was funded primarily through jurisdiction contributions, and was coordinated by a committee of participating cities and counties and the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council.

The Central Oregon Stormwater Manual Project

The Central Oregon Stormwater Manual adapts the best available stormwater management guidance from Oregon and Eastern Washington to create a reference for engineers, builders, and local government staff on the design and construction of runoff treatment and flow control facilities.  The Best Management Practices (BMPs) that make up the core of the Manual are intended to comply with all federal and state regulations, are suitable to the unique climatic and hydro-geologic conditions of the region, and will protect both water quality and natural runoff patterns.  In contrast to historic practice, non-underground injection methods of managing stormwater are encouraged and pre-treatment is required for water that is injected underground.  The cities, counties, and COIC retained Otak, Inc. to develop the Central Oregon Manual and to complete the August 2010 update.  Three public and stakeholder workshops were held between June 2006 and June 2007 to introduce the new Manual to the community, to gather feedback on the draft Manual, and to provide training in the use of the Manual.  An in-depth public survey and intensive review by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) were completed to guide the 2010 update.

Central Oregon Stormwater Manual Available For Download
We have made separate pdf files of the chapters and some of the larger appendices, so that people can select whether or not to print them. Please click on the links below to view or print.

Cover and Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Basic Requirements
Chapter 3 - Drainage Submittal
Chapter 4 - Site Characterization
Chapter 5 - Hydrologic Analysis and Design
Chapter 6 - Water Quality
Chapter 7 - Flow Control
Chapter 8 - Conveyance
Chapter 9- Erosion and Sediment Control Design
Chapter 10- Source Control
Chapter 11- Site Design and Low Impact Development
Chapter 12 - Maintenance Easement Tracts

Appendix 7A_1 - Raingarden Layout
Appendix 7A_2 - Raingarden Plants
Appendix 7A_3 - Xeriscaping Plants
Appendix 9B - Preservation of Existing Vegetation/Buffer Strips
Appendix 9C - DEQ Inspector Guidance Booklet
Appendix 11A - Site Design
Appendix 11B - Low Impact Development
Appendix 12B - Inspection and Maintenance Checklist

Project Organization And Funding

The Cities of Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, and Sisters, and Crook and Deschutes Counties provided oversight and funding for the regional manual project and COIC played the role of coordinating agency for the group.  The Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies also provided a grant for the 2007 Manual. The 2007 Manual was also funded in part by the Oregon State Lottery through the Central Oregon Community Investment Board for the purpose of promoting economic and community development.

For more information contact:

Scott Aycock, Community and Economic Development Manager
[email protected]
541-548-9523